Table of contents for 24-Aug-2017 in Pick Me Up!

What A Tipple! Summer’s my favourite time of year and there’s nothing better than sipping an Aperol spritz in the sunshine. Cheers! £230,000... … that’s how much all the runners raised for Street Child, a charity that gives kids like these a chance to go to school. I recently ran its Sierra Leone fundraising marathon – an amazing experience and, best of all, it helps needy youngsters. What A Boost! I can’t resist chocolate and now yet another study confirms that it boosts the memory and keeps the brain healthy. Does that mean if I eat enough, I’ll turn into a smarty (or a Smartie)? What A Long Shot! My cat Olive thinks if she waits for long enough on the windowsill, she’ll have a chance of catching the pigeons…

Jess Sharman, 21, Tunbridge Wells I ’ve been told that Thursday 3 March 2016 was like any other day… That my boyfriend of seven months Richard Bishop and I left his house like always, after I stayed over. That we then boarded the train into London, where we both worked in recruitment. Only, on the train, I had a series of epileptic grand mal and absence seizures that changed my life forever. Diagnosed with epilepsy at 14, having fits wasn’t unusual. But, that day, at age 19, they erased all my memories. So all I can remember, even now, is what happened after that train journey… Maybe it’d come back after a sleep, or in a few days... What’s my name? Arriving at work that day, I was sitting in an…

Julie Ford, 26, Tasmania A ttention, please!’ my boy Nate called out. We were at a family do. Nate was only 3, but he’d a big announcement to make, and was bursting to do it. ‘I’m going to be a big brother!’ he beamed at everyone. Everyone cheered, but no-one looked happier than Nate. He’d been thrilled ever since me and my partner Greg, 29, had told him we were expecting again. When we learned we were having a boy, our excitement grew. In the August, we welcomed our little man Maxwell into the world. Peering down into his deep-brown eyes, I couldn’t believe he was finally here. And when N ate met his longed-for little brother for the first time, my heart melted. Flashing forward to the future, I imagined…

Pregnancy worries Q I’m rhesus negative and had a miscarriage two months ago. I was given the injection to prevent rhesus disease, but I’m pregnant again. How long does the injection last? Karen, 33, Hampshire A The injection only lasts 12 weeks, so you’ll need another injection for any sensitising event (bleeding, miscarriage), or routinely towards the end of your pregnancy to cover for the birth. Noise-sensitive tween Q My daughter’s only 11, but she’s very anxious and hyper-sensitive to noise. She avoids situations she finds too noisy because they trigger panic attacks. Amy, 41, Glasgow A Your daughter has hyperacusis, an excessive sensitivity to noise that’s very distressing. An ENT specialist can test her and provide noise distractors. Some psychological input might well help with the associated learned behaviours, eg, her…

How much do you remember about Nickelodeon’s Kenan & Kel? 1 Who loves orange soda? 2 What is Kenan’s surname in the show? 3 What year did Kenan & Kel first air? 4 What’s the name of the shop where Kenan works? 5 Who raps the theme tune? CAN YOU GUESS THE FAMOUS BOOKS FROM THE PICTURE CLUES? 1 A famous fantasy adventure 2 E B White kids’ classic 3 A Gothic masterpiece 4 Call me Ishmael 5 Read this through bright, but teary eyes ANSWERS: 1. The Hobbit 2. Charlotte’s Web 3. Frankenstein 4. Moby Dick 5. Watership Down Competitive eater Nathan Figueroa, 29, can scoff 15,000 cals in one sitting… Flat-tastic! Worried your boobs are too small? These stunning celebs don’t! They look great! EXCUSES, EXCUSES... When it…

Ashleigh George, 21, Middlesbrough I ’ve met someone,’ I smiled, in October 2013. Excited, my grandad Ray, 76, hugged me tight. ‘I’m sure he’s special,’ he said. We were close, as he and my nan Maureen, 74, had raised me. So I couldn’t wait to tell them about Nathan Quigley. We’d met on a night out. Cheeky, and handsome, I fell for him, and we started dating. And soon…‘I’m two months pregnant!’ I gasped. Thrilled, Nathan moved in. Friends had warned me he gambled, but I’d never noticed, so assumed he’d given up. Only, he started switching off his iPad whenever I came into the room… Checking Nathan’s online history, he’d been gambling – using my card details. Furious, I confronted him. ‘It’s none of your business,’ he spat, pushing me.…

Fortunately, we live in an area which has no waiting list and were offered three rounds of IVF. So we were lucky to have a baby girl on our first go. Having a child is special and everyone should be given the chance. Rachel Purcell, Crewe Either it should be available to all who need it – or nobody. It’s unfair to be denied just because you don’t live in the right area. I wish the best of luck to anyone in this difficult position... Michelle O’Donnell, Chesterfield I struggled to fall pregnant, so we chose adoption. It was the right thing for us to do. But everyone is different and I think IVF should be available to those who can’t conceive if they don’t already have kids. Ella Shaw-Wright, Wakefield Trying for…

FLATTERING FASHION Check out Rougette, the fab new range of underwear designed for fuller busts. From bralets like this, to t-shirt bras and moulded cups, these on-trend designs come in 32-42 DD-G cups. You’ll find them at Amazon, ASOS, and www.tuttirouge.com Food Swaps Save …228 cal up to 40% off LighterLife weight-loss plans until 31/8/17 www.lighterlife.com pick Me Up! FOR LESS Get Moving! SPRYT Whether you’re looking for a local ladies’ cricket team, a Pilates instructor, or a tennis partner, this clever app lets you connect from your phone with like-minded people, clubs, coaches and facilities involving over 80 sports and activities across the UK. Sign up for free at www.spryt.com THE SECRET OF MY SUCCESS NAME: Emma Barraclough, 30, from Porthcawl, Wales. VITAL STATISTICS: In my early 20s, I worked…

Katie Jamieson, 24, Garton, Yorkshire F olding up towels at work, I caught his eye. Dale, 29, was tall, dark and handsome. We both worked in Primark. He came over, started flirting. Soon enough, he asked me out for a drink. When we became an item, I couldn’t concentrate at work! He was always being cheeky. Open with each other, we talked about marriage, babies. He had kids of his own, but we wanted one together. We even decided on a name there and then – Liberty-Rose. After eight months, I found out I was pregnant. It was a huge surprise, but we were both over the moon. And then we found out that it was a girl! At 40 weeks, last October, I went into labour. Dale held my hand for…

Laura Hutton, 24, Stirling M y nana May took my hands and looked me in the eye. ‘You’re not my Laura any more,’ she said gently. We were curled up on the sofa together having a chinwag, and conversation had turned to my weight. A touchy subject… But Nana was worried. And, looking down at my bulging belly, I knew she was right. It was August 2015, and I was bigger than I’d ever been – at least 17st and wearing a size-24. It was affecting my whole life. ‘I’m worried about you, love,’ Nana, 78, told me. She would never, ever say anything to upset me, so I knew her concern was genuine. I’d always been big, always the chubbiest girl at school. I’d tried every diet you can think…

Puzzle 1 Ed’s Test p3 Final answer Puzzle 2 Follow It! p8 Final answer Puzzle 3 Bitesize! p23 Final answer Puzzle 4 Cross It! p28 Final answer Puzzle 5 Sudoku! p28 Final answer Puzzle 6 Crack It! p30 Final answer Puzzle 7 Strike It! p44 Final answer Puzzle 8 Number Fit! p44 Final answer GOOD LUCK TO ALL OUR READERS! Pick Me Up!, published by Time Inc. (UK) Ltd, will collect your personal information solely to process your competition entry. We will not be using this issue’s competition entries to send you special offers or to pass on to third parties. 4 WAYS TO ENTER EASY TO ENTER ONLINE! ONLINE It’s free and only takes a moment to enter from your smart phone or on your laptop. Join our Pick Me Up! comp club now and enter your…

Laura Gates, 30, Loughton, Essex M y phone buzzed. I fancy you, said the text that appeared. It was from Nick, a lad I’d known from school. My friend shrieked, grabbed my phone and, before I could stop her, messaged back… I fancy you, too! I’d known Nick since I was 12. We were just mates. Or so I’d thought till I got this text. Sorry, that was my friend! I quickly typed back. He replied saying his friend had done the same… We never stopped texting after that, and, before long, we started dating. Nick only lived 10 minutes L away, so we saw each other a lot. Time flew by and, in 2014, we moved in together. Then, in November 2015, Nick surprised me. ‘I’ve changed the bed sheets,’ he…

Katherine Parkes, 37, Doncaster S itting in the garden in April last year, I noticed something odd. My daughter Karmen’s right shoulder blade was protruding, as if dislocated. ‘Have you hurt yourself?’ I asked, concerned. But Karmen, then 12, hadn’t even realised! Although she wasn’t in pain, we took her to the GP. There, Karmen was referred to hospital for an X-ray on her upper back. A month later, the doctor called us back for the results. Placing Karmen’s X-ray up on a screen, the consultant explained the problem. ‘You have scoliosis,’ he said. Scoliosis? I’d heard of the condition, but didn’t know much about it. We were told that it often affected children between 10 and 15 years old. ‘It’s an abnormal curvature of the spine,’ the doctor explained. Karmen…

Treat of the Week Serves: 2 Prep Time: 20 min + chilling □ 150g gluten-free milk chocolate Hobnob biscuits, plus 1 biscuit to serve □ 50g butter, margarine or dairy-free spread □ 50g gluten-free plain chocolate □ 4tbsp coconut milk □ 1tbsp icing sugar □ Fresh berries, to serve 1 Line base of two individual flat tins with a disc of baking parchment. 2 Put biscuits into a clean plastic bag and crush well with a rolling pin. 3 Melt butter, stir into biscuit crumbs, then divide between tins, pressing into the base with back of a spoon. Set aside to cool. 4 Melt chocolate in a small heatproof bowl over a pan of simmering water. Stir in coconut milk and icing sugar, and spoon over biscuits cases. Cool, then…

Instantly Talk With Your Cat Chewing Gum, £1.99, prezzybox.com This fruity gum comes with special instructions on how to chat to your cat. The only problem? It won’t actually help you talk to moggies, or any other animals for that matter! Verdict: BONKERS! Sounds like a cat-astrophe! Verdict: GENIUS! Put the kettle on! Oh, you have already! iKettle, £99.99, firebox.com Now you can boil your kettle from anywhere in the world using the free app which connects this clever device to your smartphone. Perfect for getting ready for your morning cuppa or after a long day at work. Verdict: BONKERS! It’d take us weeks to eat this…honest! Giant Edible Jelly Baby, £14.99, gettingpersonal.co.uk Sometimes pick ‘n’ mix just isn’t enough to satisfy your sugar cravings. For those super-sweet moments, all…

Kate Fox, 31, Halesowen M y little girl Edie’s face lit up as I said the magic words... ‘You’re going to have a little sister.’ ‘Really?!’ she asked excitedly. It was April 2015 and me and my husband Terry, 41, were thrilled to be expecting our fourth child. We also had two wonderful sons – Alfie, now 6, as well as Oliver, now 5. Edie, now 8, was ecstatic. After living with two brothers, she was finally getting what she’d always wished for – a sister. The start of my pregnancy went by without a hitch, and the 12-week ultrasound showed a healthy baby. With my kids now all at school, I couldn’t wait to have a newborn again. But two months later, my 20-week scan threw up some unexpected results.…

Sarah Parkes, 40, Chippenham, Wiltshire M y 10-year-old, Joe, always has his nose in a book. He only stops reading to play with his Lego. One day, on Twitter, I saw a competition run by Legoland. Young writers wanted! They were looking for a kids’ book to be placed in their new hotel rooms, for mums and dads to read as bedtime stories. Joe was keen! And he had an amazing imagination... ‘I’m going to write about dragons and wizards!’ he said. Within a few days, he’d written his own short story. I e-mailed it off to Legoland. One evening, in April, there was a call. ‘Legoland are on the phone,’ I shouted to Joe, grinning. His face went white as I gave him the handset. Suddenly, he screamed. He’d won!…

Selina Hall, 37, Rotherham What Brian had done was wrong. And he knew it T he smell of roast beef wafted around as I went downstairs. ‘Smells great, Mum,’ I said, taking a seat. Every Sunday, it was tradition that me, Mum Carol and Dad Brian ate dinner together. Such happy times. I was close to my family. Dad in particular. A photographer, I’d often help him on his jobs, carrying his equipment. I liked it. I felt grown up. Our secret Then, when I was 11 our relationship changed. When Mum started working nights, restocking supermarket shelves. One of those evenings, Dad came into my room. Saying nothing, he shoved his hands into my pyjama bottoms, groping my privates. I froze. Was that normal? Soon after, while Mum was working,…

SAVING OF THE WEEK Ready For Love If you’re over47 and looking for love – then we’ve got a deal for you! Enter code PICKMEUP40 at www.seniorsinglesnearme.me before 24 August to get a 6-month membership for £72 instead of £120. Put The Kettle On… Buy one packet of Pukka Herbs Tea and you’ll get another half price at Holland and Barrett until 18 September. The Turmeric Gold Tea has great antioxidant properties. OUR TOP TIP Show Time! Three have launched ‘Go Binge’ which lets you stream as much as you want from Netflix, Deezer, TVPlayer and SoundCloud without using up your data allowance. Head to www.three.co.uk for more info. Back To School Get your little ones ready for school with an exclusive 20% off the STABILO EASY Start range. Just…

Real-Life PLUS Trends, Info and Advice Jules Brown, 46, Richmond, Surrey A h!’ I cried, holding my feet. Before it’d crept into my feet and hands, the pain had begun in my legs in February 2014. I also had diarrhoea and low moods – unlike me, I’d always been a positive person. Then there was the fatigue. I started struggling with my job as a school special-needs co-ordinator, as the pain and tiredness were so awful. My GP referred me to East Sheen Physio Clinic where I was told it wasn’t muscular or skeletal. Doctors did blood tests and a liver biopsy, which were sent to King’s College Hospital. By November 2015, I’d got some answers at last. The consultant said I was suffering from primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) –an autoimmune…

Lucy Hartwell, 28, Hove T here’s no denying my cat Albus, 3, is a character. I often see him hanging out with all the neighbours’ moggies. ‘Albus is out with his kitty gang again,’ I laugh to my partner Sophie, 28. ‘He has more friends than us,’ she jokes. A friendly feline, I had no worries about Albus when he was out and about. His catflap meant he could come and go. In June this year, Sophie and I left for work as usual. As a vet, I get a lot of calls about lost pets. So, when the RSPCA phoned later that afternoon about a cat, I assumed it was a stray. The line was bad, and I couldn’t hear properly. ‘He was stuck between two buildings,’ the woman explained.…

On Mother’s Day this year, as mums were being spoilt, Kelly Chambers’ dreams came true – she was going to be a mum. ‘It meant everything,’ says Kelly, 32, who’d been trying for a baby for five years with hubby Chris, 38. In 2012, Kelly had had a miscarriage, then an ectopic pregnancy. But as Chris already had two daughters, they didn’t qualify for NHS IVF and couldn’t afford to go private. ‘It was hard not to lose hope, but then came the Mother’s Day news,’ says Kelly. Zero chance Sadly, it was another ectopic pregnancy...and Kelly’s right Fallopian tube was removed. In May, Kelly fell pregnant again and levels of pregnancy hormone looked good. They travelled to Wales to join Kelly’s mum on holiday. But Kelly was rushed to…

I’d won £1,000 and I couldn’t stop smiling! Helen Hibbitt, 50, Newcastle It was a Sunday last October. I’d run the vac round, now I’d got my duster out. After a week working in a school kitchen, it was time for chores! ‘Just put your feet up,’ my grown-up kids said – but a mother’s work is never done! When I’d finished, I took their advice, settling on the sofa with a brew and my laptop. ‘I’ll play a few games of bingo,’ I told my hubby Richard, 46. I’d joined Pick Me Up! Bingo five years ago in 2012. I used to go to bingo halls, but once I’d had the kids, I no longer had time. So I loved that I could play Pick Me Up! Bingo at…

Want the perfect... FACE OIL? Try one of these… Manuka Doctor 24K Gold & Manuka Honey Face Oil This super-luxurious oil works to firm and hydrate skin to help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It has a subtle shimmer, too, for a summery glow. Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Multi-Effect Perfecting Facial Oil Made from a blend of nine different oils, this is brilliant for thirsty complexions. Massage a few drops into clean skin in order to banish pigmentation and leave your skin smooth and supple. Pure Super Hydrate Overnight Oil Boasting 95 per cent natural ingredients, just a tiny drop of this goes a long way, when it comes to hydrating your skin. Let it sink in and work its magic overnight. ASK JESS Q I’ve had…

Megan Varley, 22, Foel, Powys I t was the same old story. Meet the love of your life, buy a house... My high-school sweetheart Carwyn, 22, and I had done the first, getting together at 17. But when it came to being homeowners, it was impossible. Carwyn was a furniture designer and maker, whereas I worked in fashion. We’d never be able to save for a deposit... One day, I was watching a program about a man who lived in shipping containers. Suddenly, it hit me. Why not build our home? With backgrounds in furniture design and fashion, if anyone could do it, we could. ‘Amazing idea!’ Carwyn said. Our budget was £5,000. A local farmer had two old, empty lorries on his farm, so we adopted them. Luckily, we could…

ARIES 21 March–20 April Don’t be talked into things you don’t want to do. Your chart takes an emotional slant that could see you feeling forced to say yes to things to which you’d usually say no. Be nice to old friends, as they hold the key to new and exciting paths in your life this year. Call: 09058 170 710* TAURUS 21 April–21 May You find yourself thinking of times gone by, but try not to over-analyse the past. You’re far stronger and more experienced now. Believe in your ability to know good decisions from bad. The things you decide now can make you happier than you’ve ever been! Call: 09058 170 711* GEMINI 22 May–21 June Beware of talking too much about other people’s lives or you could…